Policy
The President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service (PADFCS) is the highest honor the Federal Government can grant to a career civilian employee. It is in recognition of exceptional achievements that are of unusual benefit to the Nation. The award consists of an inscribed gold medal suspended from a blue and white ribbon, a lapel rosette made from the ribbon, and a certificate signed by the President. Executive Order 10717, as amended by Executive Orders 10979, 11085, and 12014, authorizes this award. These orders give the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) the authority to establish procedures for submitting nominations for this award and for reviewing and making recommendations on award selections to the President.
Agencies may consider for the PADFCS any Federal employee who has already received the department's or independent agency's highest award. Presidential appointees are not eligible for this award unless, in the opinion of OPM, they are currently serving in a career position.
Agencies may present the award for an employee's best achievements having current impact on improving Government operations or serving the public interest to include one or more of the following:
Achievements should have had at least a national impact.
Submit written nominations to the Director, OPM, 1900 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20415-0001. The head of the department or independent agency must sign the nomination.
The nomination must contain the following information:
Agencies must not release any preliminary information about a nomination. Once the President has approved an award, then the nominating agency should provide wide publicity.
For additional information on this award, contact Performance Management and Awards, U.S. Office of Personnel Management at 202-606-2720, by fax at 202-606-2548, or by email at PERFORM-MGMT@opm.gov.
This page can be found on the web at the following url: http://www.opm.gov/perform/articles/2011/Article01.asp